NFL: San Diego Chargers beat Seattle Seahawks; Houston Texans move 2-0
Monday 15 September 2014 12:05, UK
Defending champions Seattle Seahawks suffered a shock 30-21 defeat to the San Diego Chargers on Sunday.
Antonio Gates led the way for the Chargers with three touchdowns, while Philip Rivers completed 28-of-37 passes for 284 yards.
The Chargers had lost to Arizona on Monday, but they regrouped brilliantly to stun the Seahawks.
Nick Novak had kicked the Chargers into the lead with a 50-yard field goal before Seattle responded through a 51-yard touchdown run from Percy Harvin.
The Chargers, though, took control of the match in the second quarter as Gates scored two touchdowns – off eight-yard passes from Rivers – while Novak slotted over a 43-yard field goal.
Robert Turbin dragged the Seahawks back into the game at the end of the half via Russell Wilson’s three-yard pass.
A third touchdown from Gates, this time off a 21-yard pass from Rivers, saw San Diego move 27-14 up, only for Marshawn Lynch to keep the champions in the contest off a 14-yard pass from Wilson.
Novak, though, made the game safe with a 28-yard field goal in the field quarter – with the Chargers defence shutting out the Seahawks.
Greg Zuerlein landed four field goals as the St Louis Rams secured a19-17 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Zuerlein clinched victory with 38 seconds left, while Zac Stacy scored off a two-yard run with third-string quarterback Austin Davis completing 22-of-29 passes for 235 yards.
The Bucs have now lost their opening two games, despite Josh McCown rushing over for two touchdowns.
Spoilt the party
Houston Texans might have lost the last 14 games for the 2013 season, but they are now 2-0 for the new season after a 30-14 victory over the Oakland Raiders.
Arian Foster ran for 138 yards and a score, while JJ Watt caught a one-yard touchdown pass as the Texans raced into a 27-0 lead.
The Raiders, who are now 0-2, rallied late on but it was too little, too late to impact on the result.
The Chicago Bears spoilt the party as they beat 28-20 the 49ers in the first game to be played at San Francisco’s Levi's Stadium.
The 49ers had been leading 20-7 going into the final quarter, however Jay Cutler passed for three touchdowns to seal a stunning fightback.
Cutler connected with Brandon Marshall twice and Martellus Bennett in a wild fourth quarter. Cutler, who completed 23-of-34 passes for 176 yards, also linked up with Marshall in the second quarter.
Michael Crabtree and Frank Gore had scored touchdowns for the 49ers, while Phil Dawson land two field goals.
A career-high 209 yards from Jordy Nelson helped the Green Bay Packers record a 31-24 victory over the New York Jets.
The Packers had trailed by 18 points at one stage before hitting back, with Aaron Rodgers throwing for three touchdowns.
There was late drama, though, as the Jets appeared to pull level with five minutes left as Geno Smith connected with Jeremy Kerley from 37 yards, however the Jets (1-1) called a timeout from the sideline just before the snap.
